MICROWAVE APPLICATION IN CARBOTHERMIC REDUCTION OF IRON-ORES

Reduction of hematite fines and magnetite concentrates containing carbon using microwave energy was investigated. The reduction rate was found to be very rapid under all conditions employed. The nature of the ore mineral and flux (lime and limestone) did not influence the reduction but the nature of carbon had an effect, with charcoal being superior to coke. Microwave reduction is a highly non-isothermal process and bearing this in mind, the effect of temperature on reduction was exponential. Difference between the reduction of identical samples with microwave and conventional heating (1 000-degrees-C) was remarkable - in favour of microwave heating.